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According to rugby specialists, the young playmaker has shown why he deserves the first-choice spot as England's number ten versus the All Blacks on Saturday.

The Northampton Saints star produced without doubt the best defensive performance observed from an England fly-half for quite some time.

His courageous approach by consistently making his tackles versus a physical Fijian team stood out remarkably.

His game management proved exceptional - he showed an excellent balance of finesse and control, and made several crucial decisions when things were not going as expected during the opening period.

Defensive Excellence and Strategic Leadership

His ability to settle the team tactically and make big calls is something he has really mastered.

In my opinion, the young fly-half represents England's primary playmaker and he should begin against the All Blacks next week.

I believe head coach Steve Borthwick views it similarly too, because Fin has proven his capability during important Test matches.

Team Selection Amid Rivalry

The experienced fly-half started the previous weekend versus the Wallabies due to captaincy considerations, with some aspect of that decision aimed at ensuring continuity while acknowledging his performance from the tour of Argentina.

But England's showing versus the Pacific Islanders was a significant step up from the performance versus the Wallabies.

The Wallabies were defeated in Italy on Saturday, therefore we must avoid becoming too carried away with that win, that could have been more comprehensive considering how off the pace Australia performed.

The Fijian team, by contrast, were much more dangerous while offering a far tougher test.

Future Prospects

Fin Smith remains just twenty-three - projecting forward 24 months, alongside Ford challenging him but also offering support, I think Smith will find himself in a very strong place in his career.

Marcus Smith also has to be considered as an option at the right time and against the right opposition.

He is developing as a player while beginning to find his feet, but he also needs the freedom to demonstrate his distinctive qualities.

Substitute Influence

The All Blacks introduced their impact player, who scored the decisive score to beat the Scottish team, and that shows the significance of possessing players capable of creating genuine influence as substitutes.

That kind of player might represent the deciding factor separating victory the global tournament or not.

McKenzie watches the game unfold while substituted and thinks about how to create an impact upon entering.

His choices and mistake frequency have enhanced substantially since his early career.

Role Discussion

If we can get Smith to be that kind influential player, including him among substitutes might prove valuable.

Nonetheless, currently I believe he is the answer at full-back, so that is a role that is still unclaimed.

New Zealand will kick to challenge England's backfield, therefore it must to be watertight.

This role that needs transforming into a real strength, both defensively and in terms of the counter-attack danger.

Currently, I believe Marcus is a full-back at the highest level.

I struggle to identify the advantage fielding him in that position.

I want possession under his control as much as possible, though I think this should occur in the front line, especially in the final quarter.

Innate Qualities

Clearly there exist a lot of similarities between Ford and Fin Smith.

Smith possesses the capacity to make right choices during tense moments - his instincts represent traits you can really taught.

I recall when he got possession at one stage within his own half appearing that opportunity existed should they swung it wide.

However during these milliseconds he calculated they needed reversing Fiji round as we are up on the scoreboard, so he kicked it to pin the opponents applying pressure.

That's the sort of fly-half play securing championships and wins global tournaments.

Complete Package

He additionally possesses that calmness under pressure directing the players around him, while recognizing that he doesn't constantly serve as primary option.

I want to see him receiving the chance demonstrating that at the highest standards soon, just as we have seen George Ford do, especially at club level week in consistently.

In Argentina, the experienced fly-half also stood up in difficult circumstances, where historically you could argue occasions existed where he didn't fully delivered in the very highest-pressure games.

I believe we have playmaking options capable of performing the role, but with Fin's defence combined with everything else, establishes him as the more complete versatile performer.

Defensive System

This also indicates you don't have to modify your defensive system while fielding an assertive player occupying the playmaker channel, rather than someone who is somewhat passive.

One might present compelling arguments favoring Ford beginning with Smith coming off the bench.

There are so many factors occurring privately, but whichever way the management decide to go, this will present the opponents problems.

This hasn't consistently represented the narrative facing New Zealand, when attention was simply on selecting the right player.

This time, either playmaker they choose will pressure New Zealand under real pressure.

Smith's capacity selecting the right kick and execute for a potential 50-20 can take pressure off the national team.